Receiving valve



United States Patent m e an .m we 0 EH 68 66 99 ll 8 l 74 77 68 60 33 a a Hm m a I m a r ab hu CT r 0 t n e V n l i] 2 7 .l

Primary Examiner- Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney-William S.Dorman ooMDC a de N mm wemd AFPA

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Tulsa, Oklahoma ABSTRACT: A receiving valve for pipe line spheroids which is interposed in the pipe line at the desired location wherein it is desired to remove the spheroids from the pipe line. The valve is provided with an inlet port for receiving the spheroids and directing thereof into the interior of the valve and an outlet-port for discharging the spheroids into a storage tube for removal from the pipe line. A fluid outlet port is also provided in the valve for directing the flow of fluid through the valve and discharging the fluid therefrom for continued flow through the pipe line. A grate member is disposed in the fluid outlet port for precluding passage of the spheroid therethrough and is angularly disposed with respect to the 64 4 Momm 549 7 08 wnm 5 3 a m .mm m m mm 0 U "u h n "u l u k m mm 0 m u f u" 0 H mm H S m u .m .w u w Pm W m A w m m m c vm m m a CD m mm m m S u H m a Ch W EC 5 Mk R6 U IF .1 ll. 4 2 l0 5 5 55 .l. [rt

-- horizontal whereby gravity assists the movement of the sphe- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1965 Eagleton..............,..,. 7/1966 roid through the valve and into the storage tube. A kicker member is provided in the proximity of the fluid outlet for precluding accidental lodging of the spheroid within the body at the juncture between the outlet port and the grate member 3,l66,094 3,26l,048 Ericson Patented Dec. 1, 1970 3,543,789

CHARLES WHEATLEY INVENTOR.

WM 2. Amw

ATTORNEY RECEIVING VALVE This invention relates to improvements in valve structures and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a valve particularly designed and constructed to be interposed in a pipe line for receiving pipe line pigs, or the like, at the desired location for removal thereof from the pipe line or gathering system,

It is common practice today to move pipe line pigs, or spheroids, through a pipe line for many purposes. For example, it is often desirable to inject a pig into a pipe line for separating two different products being transported through the same pipe line in sequence. In other instances, pigs or spheroids may be moved through a pipe line for cleaning the interior thereof, or for removing trapped liquid deposits therein and forcing the liquid through the pipe. Of course, it is necessary to remove the pigs from the pipe line or gathering system subsequent to the passage thereof through the system, or upon the completion of the desired results with the pig. It may be desirable to remove the pig at the end ofa pipe line section, or it may be preferred to remove the pig at some other point along the trunk lines, such as at the location wherein the products moving through the line are to be separated, or wherein it desired to inject a larger pig or spheroid and remove the smaller spheroid.

A receiving valve such as shown in the Harold N. Eagleton US. Pat. No. 3,166,094, issued Jan. 19, I965, and entitled Receiving Valve is in widespread use today for intercepting spheroids or pigs in a pipe line and directing the pigs into a storage or receiving barrel at the desired location for removal of the pigs from the line. The valve is particularly designed to substantially eliminate any accumulation of sediment therein,

and to assure an efficient catching or receiving of the pig with a simultaneous diversion of the fluid moving therewith. In addition, the valve is a normally open valve which may be closed for sealing off the pipe line pressure from the storage or receiving barrel when it is desired to remove the accumulated or captured pigs from the receiving barrel. The passageway through the valve housing is angularly disposed with respect to the horizontal whereby gravity facilitates the movement of the pig through the valve and into the receiving barrel, and the pigs may become accidentally lodged in the valve housing in the proximity of the outlet port and thus will not be discharged from the valve. It will be apparent that this is a disadvantage in that the flow of fluid through the valve will be hampered, and in addition, the sequentially arranged pigs in the line may collect behind the lodge ball.

The present invention contemplates a novel receiving valve particularly designed and constructed for overcoming the above disadvantages. The valve is generally similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned Harold N. Eagleton patent, but is further provided with a kicker mechanism in the proximity of the outlet port whereby any spheroid or pig which may become lodged within the valve is quickly and efficiently dislodged and urged into the outlet port for discharge into the receiving barrel. The kicker mechanism is mounted within the valve housing in a manner to preclude interference with the progressive flow of fluid through the valve while maintaining an efficient handling of the pipe line spheroids.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a receiving valve for pipe line pigs which may be interposed at substantially any desired location in the pipe line for efficiently receiving the pigs therefrom and discharging the pigs into a receiving barrel.

It is another object of this invention to provide a receiving valve for pipe line spheroids wherein the spheroids are intercepted and directed into a receiving barrel in a manner substantially precluding interference with the normal flow of fluid from the valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a receiving valve for pipe line spheroids wherein any spheroid accidentally lodged within the interior of the valve may be quickly and easily dislodged.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which? FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a receiving valve embodying the invention with portions thereof depicted in dotted lines for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference'character 10 generally indicates a receiving valve comprising a body 12 having an inlet bore 14 and opposed outlet bore 16. The bore 16 is preferably slightly angularly disposed with respect to the bore 14 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The body 12 is further provided with a fluid outlet bore 18 interposed between the bores 14 and 16 and preferably substantially perpendicularly disposed with respect to the bore 14, but not limited thereto. An upwardly extending neck or sleeve portion 20 is provided on the body 12 oppositely disposed from the fluid outlet bore 18 to provide an access port 22 for the interior of the body 12. The sleeve 20 is preferably provided with an outwardly extending circumferential flange 24 for supporting a cover plate 26 which may be secured thereto by a plurality of spaced bolts 28, as is well known. The cover plate 26 may be provided with a centrally disposed eye member or apertured flange 30 for facilitating removal thereof when it is desired to open the access port 22 for any reason, and it preferable 'to interpose a plurality of concentrically disposed sealing rings 32 and 34 between the body and the cover 26 for precluding leakage offluid therebetween.

An annular valve seat 36 is provided in the body 12 conterminous with the inner end of the outlet bore 16 for cooperation with a pivotal clapper member 38 to intermittently close the bore 16 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The clapper member 38 is provided with an annular groove 40, preferably of a dovetail type cross-sectional configuration, for receiving a sealing ring 42 to provide a sealing of the bore 16 in the closed position of the clapper 38 thereagainst, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The clapper 38 may be pivotally secured within the body 12 in any suitable manner. As depicted herein, the clapper 38 may be provided with an angled shank member 44 oppositely disposed from the groove 40 and seal ring 42 for journalling the clapper within the body [2. The neck portion 20 provides an inner chamber 46 for receiving the clapper 38 in the normally opened position thereof, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. A transverse shaft 48 is journalled in the chamber 46 in any suitable manner, and the shank 44 is keyed or otherwise secured thereon for rotation simultaneously therewith. The chamber 46 may be provided with a recess 50 to provide clearance for the shank 44 whereby the clapper 38 may be freely rotated within the body 12.

It is preferable that at least one end (not shown) of the shaft 48 extends outwardly from the sidewall of the body 12 for connection with an actuator lever or arm (not shown), as is well known. The actuator lever may be either manually or automatically actuated as desired. It is to be noted that while the clapper 38 may be freely rotated simultaneously with the shaft 48, the clapper is retained or securely held in the open position thereof until such time as it is desired to close the outlet bore 16, as will be hereinafter set forth. The actuator lever may be of any suitable or well known type of valve actuator, and it will be apparent that rotation of the lever in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 will rotate the shaft 48 in a direction for closing the clapper 38 against the valve seat 36, whereas rotation of the actuator arm in a clockwise direction will move the clapper to the raised or open position shown in solid lines.

The outlet bore 16 may be of a slightly larger diameter than the inlet bore 14 for facilitating the passage of the pigs or spheroids (not shown) therethrough. As hereinbefore set forth, the bore 16 is preferably disposed at an angle with respect to the bore 14 whereby the spheroids entering the bore 16 will fall therethrough by gravity. Furthermore, it will be noted in FIG. 1 that the inner periphery of the bore 14 is slightly flared or rounded at 54 for facilitating the passage of the spheroids from the bore 14 into the bore 16.

In addition, the upper or inner end of the bore 18 is obstructed in such a manner as to permit the passage of fluid therethrough while precluding the passage of spheroids through the bore 18 and facilitating directing of the spheroids into the bore 16 for discharge into the storage or receiving barrel. As particularly shown herein the mouth or inner end of the bore 18 is obstructed by a plurality of spaced grate bars 56 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the inner periphery of the bore 18, and extending longitudinally in a direction from the bore 14 to the bore 16. The bars 56 are angularly disposed with respect to the horizontal whereby gravity assists the passage of the spheroids thereover, and the right hand end of the bars 56, as viewed in FIG. 1, are preferably disposed slightly below the valve seat 36. A plurality of spring members 58 are secured to the cross bars 56 in any suitable manner, such as by a bolt 60, and extend in a direction toward the bore 16, as particularly shown in FIG. 1. The springs 58 are normally disposed in such a manner that the outer ends 62 thereof are disposed slightly above or radially inward with respect to the inner periphery of the bore 16,.and of course are yieldable upon the passage of a spheroid thereover for a purpose and in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth. It may also be desirable to provide similar spring members 64 disposed in the proximity of the inner periphery of the body 12 and angularly disposed in such a manner as to direct relatively small spheroids in a reverse direction and back into position for discharge into the bore 16 in the event a small spheroid becomes lodged against the sides of the interior of the valve body 12.

A transversely extending shaft member'66 is suitably journalled in the bore 18 below or spaced from the grate bars 56. The opposite ends 68 and 70 of the shaft 66 extend through the sidewall of the bore 18 and suitable stuffing glands or sealing members 72 are secured to the outer periphery of the bore 18 around the ends 68 and 70 of the shaft 66 by bolts 73, or the like, for precluding leakage of fluid therearound. In addition, a handle or lever 74 is secured around one end, such as the end 70 of the shaft 66 for transmitting rotation to the shaft 66 about the longitudinal axis thereof. A kicker member 76 is disposed in the bore 18 and is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the shaft 66 for rotation simultaneously therewith. The kicker member 76 is preferably substantially centrally disposed in the bore 18 and in normal position is disposed between'adjacent pairs of grate bars 56. A transversely extending stop bar 78 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured within the bore 18 in the proximity of the lower surface of the grate bars 56 in the proximity of the bore 16, as particularly shown in FIG. 1. The finger or kicker member 76 rests on the stop bar 78 in the normal position thereof, thus precluding accidental interference with the passage of spheroids through the valve 10.

The valve lmay be interposed in substantially any pipe line gathering system, or the like, (not shown) as set forth in the aforementioned I-Iarold N. Eagleton patent. The pipe line may be disposed above the ground, or buried therein. The valve may be secured in the pipe line (not shown) in any suitable manner, such as by welding, or the like, but not limited thereto, whereby the inlet bore 14 is in communication with the pipe line for receiving spheroids therefrom. A section of pipe (not shown) may be welded or otherwise secured to the body 12 whereby the fluid outlet bore 18 is in communication therewith, and the pipe section thus connected to the body 12 extends into connection with the pipe line or next succeeding portion of the gathering system downstream from the connection of the pipe line system with the bore 14, as shown in the Eagleton patent. A receiving tube or barrel (not shown) is secured to the body 12 by welding, or the like, whereby the outlet bore 16 is in communication therewith. The barrel is preferably disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal whereby gravity will assist the entry of the spheroids into the barrel. Of course, a suitablelend closure member (not shown) may be provided for the outer end of the receiving barrel spaced slightly from the end closure member, as shown in the aforementioned Eagleton patent.

OPERATION The receiving valve 10 may be interposed in the pipe line (not shown) at substantially any desired position in a gathering system wherein it is desired to remove pipe line pigs'or spheroids therefrom. The pigs or spheroids are normally moved through the pipe line by fluid pressure and enter the valve body 12 through the inlet bore 14. The fluid in the pipe line also enters the valve body 12 through the inlet bore 14 and is discharged therefrom by gravity through the grate bars 56 and fluid outlet bore 18. The fluid discharged from the fluid outlet bore 18 falls into the downstream section or portion of the pipe line for continued flow through the gathering system.

As hereinbefore set forth, the clapper 38 is normally held or locked in an open position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. Thus, any spheroid which enters the inlet bore 14 will move toward the outlet bore 16 by gravity and rolls over the grate bars 56 and spring members 58, which preclude accidental discharge of the spheroid through the fluid outlet bore 18. The weight of the spheroid may urge the spring member 58 slightly downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, whereby the ends 62 of the springs 58 will be moved into substantial alinement with the inner periphery of the outlet bore 16, thus facilitating direct ing of the spheroid into the bore 16. Of course, the stop bar 78 limits any downward movement of the springs 58 in the event of excessive weight of any spheroid moving through the valve 10. The spheroid will then roll into the receiving barrel (not shown) by gravity for storage therein. It will be apparent that a plurality of spheroids may be stored in the barrel before it is necessary to remove them therefrom.

When it is desired to remove the spheroids from the storage barrel, it is preferable to isolate the barrel from the pipe line pressure. Accordingly, the clapper 38 may be moved by the actuator (not shown) to a position against the valve seat 36. The seal ring 42 efficiently seals the bore 16 for precluding passage of fluid from the valve body 12 into the receiving or storage barrel. The capture of stored spheroids may then be removed from the barrel in the usual manner as set forth in the Eagleton US. Pat. No. 3,l66,094.

In the event a spheroid moving through the valve 10 becomes accidentally lodged in the body 12 and trapped in a position on the grate bars 56 and against the valve seat 36, the lever 74 may be manually actuated for rotating the shaft 66 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. I whereby the kicker member 76 will be pivoted in a direction away from the stop bar 78. The movement of the kicker member 76 will lift the lodged spheroid upwardly and back into the path of the fluid pressure whereby the spheroid will be swept into the bore 16 for storage in the receiving barrel. Of course, as soon as the spheroid has been dislodged, the handle 74 may be actuated for rotating the shaft 66 in an opposite direction whereby the kicker member 76 will be pivoted into a position against the stop bar 78.

In addition, relatively small spheroids may become lodged against the side wall of the interior of the body 12 and against the seat portion 36. In this event, the spheroid will rest on the spring members 64, and the angular position of the springs 64 causes the small spheroid to roll by gravity in a reverse direction and downwardly onto the grate bars 56 whereby the pressure of the fluid stream will move the spheroid into the bore 16 for discharge into the receiving barrel. Of course, if the small spheroid should again become lodged in the body 12 against the grate bars 56 and valve seat portion 36, the kicker member 76 may be utilized as hereinbefore set forth for dislodging thereof. I

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel valve for receiving pipe line pigs at the desired point of removal thereof from a pipe line or gathering system. The novel valve is a three-way type valve which substantially eliminates the necessity of interposing additional fittings in the pipe line, and efficiently directs the spheroids into a receiving barrel for storage thereof. The novel receiving valve diverts the flow of the fluid moving through the pipe line and precludes accidental discharge of the spheroids with the fluid. In addition, a kicker member is provided for dislodging any spheroids which may become trapped or accidentally lodged within the valve body, thus increasing the ef ficient operation thereof. The novel receiving valve is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Iclaim:

1. A receiving valve for pipe line pigs in a high pressure fluid system and comprising a body having opposed inlet and outlet bores providing an inclined passageway for the pigs moving through the valve, a pivotal clapper member provided in the body and in a normally open position for passing a plurality of pigs therethrough, a valve seat provided in the body downstream from the clapper and conterminous with the outlet bore for cooperating with the clapper in a closed position thereof for precluding leakage of fluid through the outlet bore for facilitating removal of the plurality of pigs having moved through the valve, said body provided with a fluid outlet bore for discharging fluid from .the body independently of the pig, spring means provided in the body upstream from the valve seat for directing the pig through the outlet bore, grate means provided in the body for precluding discharge of the pig through the fluid outlet bore with the fluid, and kicker means provided in the body for engaging any pigs lodged within the body and dislodging thereof for facilitating discharge thereof through the outlet bore.

2. A receiving valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein the grate means comprises a plurality of spaced grate bars secured in the proximity of the inner end of the fluid outlet bore, said grate bars being disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal whereby gravity facilitates the movement of the pigs thereover.

3. A receiving valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein the kicker means comprises a transversely extending shaft journalled in the fluid outlet bore, a kicker member disposed in the fluid outlet bore and secured to the shaft for rotation simultaneously therewith for engagement with a pig lodged within the body for dislodging thereof.

4. A receiving valve as set forth in claim 1 wherein the kicker means comprises a transversely extending shaft journalled in the fluid outlet bore, a kicker member disposed within the fluid outlet bore and secured to the shaft for rotation simultaneously therewith, handle means secured to the shaft exteriorly of the valve body for transmitting rotation to the shaft, stop means provided in the fluid outlet for receiving the kicker member thereagainst in the normal position of the kicker member, said rotation of said shaft providing selective movement of the kicker member away from and toward the stop means for effecting said dislodging of a pig lodged in the body.

5. A receiving valve for pipe line pigs in a high pressure fluid system and comprising a body having opposed inlet and outlet ports for passing a pig therethrough, said inlet and outlet ports disposed in alined angular positions to provide an inclined passageway for facilitating movement of the pigs through the valve, a fluid outlet bore interposed between the inlet and outlet ports for discharging fluid from the body independently of the pigs, grate means provided in the body for precluding passage of the pigs through the fluid outlet, a valve seating portion provided in the body conterminous with the outlet port, a clap er member disposed within the body and pivotally secured in he proximity o the valve seating portion and upstream thereof to provide alternate open and closed positions for the valve, sealing means carried by the clapper member to preclude leakage of fluid through the outlet port in the closed position of the valve, said clapper member being retained in a normally open position during a receiving operation to permit passage of a plurality of successive pigs through the outlet port and closable subsequent to the passage of successive pigs to facilitate removal of the plurality of pigs having moved through the valve, spring means disposed upstream from the valve seat for directing the pigs into the outlet port, and kicker means provided in the body for engaging and dislodging any pig lodged within the body for facilitating discharge thereof through the outlet port.

6. A receiving valve as set forth in claim 5 wherein the kicker means comprises a transversely extending shaft journalled with the fluid outlet bore, a kicker member secured to the shaft for rotation simultaneously therewith to provide said dislodging of a lodged pig. 

